Having just wrapped the US portion of their tour celebrating the 10th anniversary of their third album, Lore (review here), Elder are about to pick up with the tour in Europe. They’ll be at Desertfest Oslo this week — see you there — and play Desertfest London, Desertfest Berlin, Sonic Whip, Mystic Festival on the run. They’re no strangers to hitting the road hard, and that seems to have been the plan for much of this year.

They’d previously announced the Fall dates below supporting (co-headlining with?) All Them Witches, who I’m thinking will have a new record out by the time they make the trip from their home in Nashville. In addition to that, Elder have a handful of newly-announced shows in Iberia leading them to the Westill Fest in France. You’ll find all of the above, below, as per socials:

We’re extremely stoked to be supporting one of our favorite current bands All Them Witches in Europe this October.

Following that, we’ll be playing a few headline shows in Portugal, Spain and France. Tickets for these gigs will go on sale this Friday at 11AM local time.

All dates below! Ticket links for all shows can be found at www.beholdtheelder.com/tour.

Supporting All Them Witches
06.10.25 Glasgow (UK), The Garage
07.10.25 Manchester (UK), Manchester Academy 2
08.10.25 Leeds (UK), Leeds Beckett Students’ Union
09.10.25 London (UK), O2 Forum Kentish Town
11.10.25 Paris (FR), Le Bataclan
12.10.25 Brussels (BE), Ancienne Belgique
14.10.25 Utrecht (NL), Tivoli/Vredenburg
15.10.25 Tilburg (NL), 013 Poppodium
17.10.25 Copenhagen (DK), Amager Bio
19.10.25 Berlin (DE), Tempodrom
20.10.25 Warsaw (PL), Progresja
21.10.25 Prague (CZ), Roxy
22.10.25 Vienna (AT), Gasometer
23.10.25 Milan (IT), Alcatraz
24.10.25 Berne (CH), Bierhübeli
26.10.25 Barcelona (ES), Razzmatazz
27.10.25 Madrid (ES), La Riviera

Elder Headlining Shows
28.10.25 Lisbon (PT), RCA Club
29.10.25 Porto (PT), Mouco
30.10.25 Bilbao (ES), D8 Sorkuntza
31.10.25 Toulouse (FR), La Cabane
01.11.25 Vallet (FR), Westhill Festival
Artwork by Adam Hill

ELDER
“Lore” 10th Anniversary Tour Spring 2025:
08.05.2025 Hamburg (DE), Bahnhof Pauli
09.05.2025 Copenhagen (DK), A Colossal Weekend
10.05.2025 Oslo (NO), Desertfest Oslo
11.05.2025 Stockholm (SE), Hus 7
13.05.2025 Esch-Alzette (LU), Kulturfabrik
14.05.2025 Tourcoing (FR), Le Grand Mix
15.05.2025 Brussels (BE), Le Botanique
16.05.2025 London (UK), Desertfest London
17.05.2025 Nijmegen (NL), Sonic Whip Festival
18.05.2025 Savigny-Le-Temple (FR), Grand Sludge Fest
20.05.2025 Wiesbaden (DE), Schlachthof – Kesselhaus
21.05.2025 Lyon (FR), L’Epicerie Moderne
22.05.2025 Lucerne (CH), Sedel
23.05.2025 Munich (DE), Feierwerk
24.05.2025 Jena (DE), Kuba
25.05.2025 Berlin (DE), Desertfest Berlin
05.06.2025 Gdańsk (PL), Mystic Festival

Elder is:
Nick DiSalvo – Guitars, Vocals
Mike Risberg – Guitars, Keys
Jack Donovan – Bass
Georg Edert – Drums

http://facebook.com/elderofficial
https://www.instagram.com/elderband/
https://beholdtheelder.bandcamp.com/

https://www.instagram.com/armageddonshop/
https://armageddonshop.bigcartel.com/
http://armageddonshop.com

http://www.stickman-records.com/
http://stickmanrecords.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Stickman-Records-1522369868033940/

Elder, Lore (2015)

Progressive heavy rock masters Elder are on tour now celebrating the 10th anniversary of their 2015 third full-length, Lore (review here). A worthy cause, indeed. After this US run — they were in Brooklyn last week; my wife had a Board of Ed. meeting — they’ll do Spring fests and club dates in Europe. Their summer looks to be open thus far — a break would be well earned, but I wouldn’t put it past them to sneak in work on their next record if that’s actual downtime — but newly announced is a Fall run, also in Europe, with All Them Witches.

That’s a one-two bill of two of their generation’s best bands, and accordingly, I don’t need to sell you on it, so I won’t. All Them Witches also announced US dates with King Buffalo yesterday, which tells me to expect their next record sometime around the Fall. Fingers crossed, anyhow.

From the PR wire:

ELDER Announce European Tour Dates With ALL THEM WITCHES!

This year marks the 10th anniversary of “Lore”, the ground-breaking, third studio album released in 2015 on Stickman Records by progressive psych-rock spearheads ELDER. In support, the band is currently touring North America followed by Europe in May, including much-awaited festival appearances at such as Desertfest London, Berlin and Oslo, Sonic Whip and many more, playing the album in its entirety!

The band states: “Lore is turning 10 years old. This album marked a point of departure for Elder upon a path which the band is still walking now. For us, this is the record where the band came into its own as a unique voice in the heavy rock underground. As we approach our second decade as a band, we feel it’s appropriate to look back on this landmark for us and acknowledge it properly, which is why we’re doing a tour performing the entire album along with some other tracks from our earlier catalog; we’ll give this era of the band a proper celebration before turning our attention once again toward the future and the next album, currently being written.”

Furthermore, ELDER have just announced to join neo-psychedelic blues rock masters ALL THEM WITCHES on their House of Mirrors Tour in Europe this October, with many more headlining dates around the tour to be revealed soon! Visit https://beholdtheelder.com/tour/ for tickets & more concert info.

ELDER
“Lore” 10th Anniversary Tour 2025:

11.04.2025 Columbus (OH), Ace Of Cups
12.04.2025 Chicago (IL), Reggies
13.04.2025 Detroit (MI), Sanctuary
14.04.2025 Buffalo (NY), Rec Room
15.04.2025 Toronto (ON), Axis
17.04.2025 Montreal (QC), Theatre Fairmount
18.04.2025 Hamden (CT), Space Ballroom
19.04.2025 Boston (MA), Middle East
08.05.2025 Hamburg (DE), Bahnhof Pauli
09.05.2025 Copenhagen (DK), A Colossal Weekend
10.05.2025 Oslo (NO), Desertfest Oslo
11.05.2025 Stockholm (SE), Hus 7
13.05.2025 Esch-Alzette (LU), Kulturfabrik
14.05.2025 Tourcoing (FR), Le Grand Mix
15.05.2025 Brussels (BE), Le Botanique
16.05.2025 London (UK), Desertfest London
17.05.2025 Nijmegen (NL), Sonic Whip Festival
18.05.2025 Savigny-Le-Temple (FR), Grand Sludge Fest
20.05.2025 Wiesbaden (DE), Schlachthof – Kesselhaus
21.05.2025 Lyon (FR), L’Epicerie Moderne
22.05.2025 Lucerne (CH), Sedel
23.05.2025 Munich (DE), Feierwerk
24.05.2025 Jena (DE), Kuba
25.05.2025 Berlin (DE), Desertfest Berlin
05.06.2025 Gdańsk (PL), Mystic Festival

With ALL THEM WITCHES:
Oct 6: Glasgow, UK – The Garage
Oct 7: Manchester, UK – Manchester Academy 2
Oct 8: Leeds, UK – Leeds Beckett Students’ Union
Oct 9: London, UK – O2 Forum Kentish Town
Oct 11: Paris, FR – Le Bataclan
Oct 12: Brussels, BE – Ancienne Belgique
Oct 14: Utrecht, NL – Tivoli/Vredenburg
Oct 15: Tilburg, NL – 013 Poppodium
Oct 17: Copenhagen, DK – Amager Bio
Oct 19: Berlin, DE – Tempodrom
Oct 20: Warsaw, PL – Progresja
Oct 21: Prague, CZ – Roxy
Oct 22: Vienna, AT – Gasometer
Oct 23: Milan, IT – Alcatraz
Oct 24: Berne, CH – Bierhübeli
Oct 26: Barcelona, ES – Razzmatazz
Oct 27: Madrid, ES – La Riviera

Elder is:
Nick DiSalvo – Guitars, Vocals
Mike Risberg – Guitars, Keys
Jack Donovan – Bass
Georg Edert – Drums

http://facebook.com/elderofficial
https://www.instagram.com/elderband/
https://beholdtheelder.bandcamp.com/

https://www.instagram.com/armageddonshop/
https://armageddonshop.bigcartel.com/
http://armageddonshop.com

http://www.stickman-records.com/
http://stickmanrecords.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Stickman-Records-1522369868033940/

Elder, Lore (2015)

We knew Elder were going to spend a decent portion of the Spring on tour in Europe, and today brings word that they’ll do the US before that as they celebrate the 10th anniversary of 2015’s genre-landmark third album, Lore (review here), by playing it in full on stage. They also note there will be older songs in the set too, and wouldn’t be surprised if that means 2012’s Spires Burn/Release EP (review here) gets some representation in the set. I seem to recall from shows of the era that that stuff went well together, at least.

I’ve included the Euro dates here as well in case that’s relevant to you. And a further word to the wise, check out Moon Destroys. It’s Juan Mantoya (ex-Torche, MonstrO), Evan DiPrima (ex-Royal Thunder) and Charlie Suarez (also MonstrO). They’ve got a single out called “The Nearness of June” (posted below) that rules. Sacri Monti of course are more of a known quantity with more records out, and their 2024 LP, Retrieval (review here), should certainly be among the reasons to look forward to this tour.

From social media:

ELDER – LORE 10th ANNIVERSARY TOUR – NORTH AMERICA

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

Following our announcement of European dates to celebrate Lore turning 10, we’re pleased to also reveal our North American dates next April! We’ll be performing a full album playthrough of the 2015 record along with older songs from the fold before turning our focus back to album 7.

Joining us on this run are two fantastic bands, SACRI MONTI and Moon Destroys.

Sacri Monti are old friends from San Diego whose sun-soaked progressive psych always blows our mind. Check their latest album “Retrieval” now!

Moon Destroys is a newer project from ex-members of Torche, Royal Thunder and MonstrO. We got a sneak peek at their upcoming LP and let’s just say if you dig downtuned, shoegazing, dreamy riff-rock you’re in for a treat.

Tickets are available NOW! Purchase via the ticket links at our website: www.beholdtheelder.com/tour

4/3 Brooklyn, NY @ The Meadows
4/4 Baltimore, MD @ The Ottobar
4/5 Raleigh, NC @ The Pour House
4/6 Asheville, NC @ Eulogy
4/8 Orlando, FL @ The Conduit
4/9 Atlanta, GA @ The Earl
4/11 Columbus, OH @ Ace of Cups
4/12 Chicago, IL @ Reggies
4/13 Detroit, MI @ Sanctuary
4/14 Buffalo, NY @ Rec Room
4/15 Toronto, ON @ Axis
4/17 Montreal, QC @ Theatre Fairmount
4/18 Hamden, CT @ Space Ballroom
4/19 Cambridge, MA @ Middle East / Downstairs

Original LORE album artwork by Adrian Dexter
Poster by Adam Hill

ELDER – LORE 10th ANNIVERSARY TOUR – EUROPE

08.05.2025 Hamburg (DE), Bahnhof Pauli
09.05.2025 Copenhagen (DK), Colossal Festival
10.05.2025 Oslo (NO), Desertfest Oslo
11.05.2025 Stockholm (SE), Hus 7
13.05.2025 Esch-Alzette (LU), Kulturfabrik
14.05.2025 Tourcoing (FR), Le Grand Mix
15.05.2025 to be announced soon
16.05.2025 London (UK), Desertfest London
17.05.2025 Nijmegen (NL), Sonic Whip
20.05.2025 Wiesbaden (DE), Schlachthof Kesselhaus
21.05.2025 Lyon (FR), L’Epicerie Moderne
22.05.2025 Lucerne (CH), Sedel
23.05.2025 Munich (DE), Feierwerk
25.05.2025 Berlin (DE), Desertfest Berlin

Elder is:
Nick DiSalvo – Guitars, Vocals
Mike Risberg – Guitars, Keys
Jack Donovan – Bass
Georg Edert – Drums

http://facebook.com/elderofficial
https://www.instagram.com/elderband/
https://beholdtheelder.bandcamp.com/

https://www.instagram.com/armageddonshop/
https://armageddonshop.bigcartel.com/
http://armageddonshop.com

http://www.stickman-records.com/
http://stickmanrecords.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Stickman-Records-1522369868033940/

Elder, Lore (2015)

Sacri Monti, Retrieval (2024)

Moon Destroys, “The Nearness of June”

Progressive heavy rock forerunners Elder have announced the second leg of US touring to take place this September, following on from the stint with Ruby the Hatchet and Howling Giant that wrapped up on June 3 in Connecticut. The new round of tour dates covers the East Coast and some of the Midwest, hitting basically where the last tour didn’t go — there are some states they’re not hitting this time either; these things happen; I hear social media is a really good and super-helpful place to complain about that? — while putting the mostly-Berlin-based four-piece in the company of Chicagoans REZN and Austin, Texas, heavy moodmakers Lord Buffalo. Elder’s latest full-length, Innate Passage (review here), came out last year through Stickman Records and Armageddon Shop. It was my pick for the best album of 2022; a selection I happily stand by.

It should be noted that this tour is snuck in ahead of a previously announced UK and European tour set for October and November. The band will get home from this run, have a couple weeks off and then head back out for the Euro Fall fest season, wrapping in Berlin on Nov. 18. They’re also booked for at least Krach am Bach in Germany and SonicBlast Fest in Portugal this August, so fair to say it’s a busy year. That also doesn’t count Nick DiSalvo and Mike Risberg‘s participation in the side-project Weite, whose debut LP, Assemblage, is out July 14, also on Stickman.

Booked by Heavy Talent, the dates were posted by the band as seen below:

ELDER – US TOUR with REZN and Lord Buffalo

We’re headed back out on tour in the States this September and extremely happy to be joined by the excellent REZN and Lord Buffalo!

Our last tour Stateside was excellent and we’re so excited to come back to all these cities we didn’t manage to hit last time. See you in a few months!

Tickets are on sale now at www.beholdtheelder.com/tour

—
9/05 – Philadelphia, PA @ Underground Arts
9/06 – Brooklyn, NY @ Monarch
9/07 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Thunderbird Music Hall
9/08 – Columbus, OH @ Ace of Cups
9/09 – Chicago, IL @ Avondale Music Hall
9/10 – Nashville, TN @ The Basement East
9/12 – Fort Worth, TX @ Tulips
9/13 – Austin, TX @ Empire Control Room
9/14 – Houston, TX @ Warehouse
9/15 – New Orleans, LA @ Gasa Gasa
9/16 – Atlanta, GA @ The Earl
9/17 – Orlando, FL @ The Conduit
9/19 – Raleigh, NC @ The Pour House
9/20 – Baltimore, MD @ The Ottobar
9/21 – Syracuse, NY @ The Song & Dance
9/22 – Portland, ME @ Portland House Of Music
9/23 – Cambridge, MA @ Middle East / Downstairs

Elder is:
Nick DiSalvo – Guitars, Vocals
Mike Risberg – Guitars, Keys
Jack Donovan – Bass
Georg Edert – Drums

http://facebook.com/elderofficial
https://www.instagram.com/elderband/
https://beholdtheelder.bandcamp.com/

https://www.instagram.com/armageddonshop/
https://armageddonshop.bigcartel.com/
http://armageddonshop.com

http://www.stickman-records.com/
http://stickmanrecords.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Stickman-Records-1522369868033940/

Elder, Innate Passage (2022)

Elder have just unveiled their tour plans for this autumn, playing Lazy Bones Fest in Hamburg but thus far bypassing most of the continental Fall festival season, though of course there’s always time for more to be announced. They’ll be joined for some of the Euro portion of the run by Steak (from the UK) and in the UK by Slomosa (from Norway) as they continue to support 2022’s Innate Passage (review here), following the previously announced US tour set for this May into June.

I don’t imagine I need to tell you if you’re reading this just how in-their-own-league Elder remain, even as their influence on the next generation of heavy rock ripples outward, or how Innate Passage pushed their heavy prog rock to new expressive heights while getting both heavier and more melodic — all sides growth and production to match — but it is fun to mention. I’ll posit them as one of the most essential acts under the umbrella of heavy music, and I’ll keep it simple and just say if you can see them, see them, wherever you live.

Dates follow as per social media:

ELDER * EU/UK TOUR *

We are hitting the road again this fall in support of our latest record “Innate Passage” with stops around Europe and the UK!

Joining us on the trip are our friends Slomosa and Steak (select dates each, please mind the symbols).

Tickets will be on sale from this Wednesday, March 15th at https://beholdtheelder.com/tour.html

See you soon!

27.10.23 – DE – Erfurt | Bandhaus†
28.10.23 – DE – Hamburg | Lazy Bones Fest *
29..1023 – DK – Copenhagen | Pumpehuset*
31.10.23 – NL – Amersfoort | Fluor*
01.11.23 – DE – Oberhausen | Kulttempel*
02.11.23 – NL – Nijmegen | Doornroosje*
03.11.23 – BE – Leuven | Het Depot*
04.11.23 – FR – Paris | La Maroquinerie*
05.11.23 – FR – Lille | The Black Lab*
06.11.23 – UK – Bristol | The Fleece*
08.11.23 – UK – Brighton | Patterns*
09.11.23 – UK – London | Electric Ballroom*
10.11.23 – UK – Glasgow | Slay*
11.11.23 – UK – Leeds | Brundenell Social Club*
12.11.23 – UK – Manchester | Gorilla*
14.11.23 – DE – Frankfurt | Nachtleben†
15.11.23 – CH – Dudingen | Bad Bonn†
16.11.23 – DE – Munich | Hansa 39†
17.11.23 – DE – Dresden | Chemiefabrik†
18.11.23 – DE – Berlin | Hole 44†
—
* = with Slomosa
† = with Steak

Previously announced US tour dates:

5/3 Buffalo, NY @ Mohawk
5/4 Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop
5/5 Indianapolis, IN @ Black Circle
5/6 Rock Island, IL @ Wake Brewing
5/7 Kansas City, MO @ The Record Bar
5/9 Denver, CO @ The Bluebird Theater
5/10 Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge
5/11 Las Vegas, NV @ The Usual Place
5/12 Los Angeles, CA @ Lodge Room
5/13 Santa Ana, CA @ The Constellation Room
5/14 San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick
5/16 San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall
5/17 Fresno, CA @ Strummer’s
5/18 Sacramento, CA @ Harlow’s
5/20 Seattle, WA @ Substation
5/21 Vancouver, BC @ Modified Ghost Festival
5/23 Calgary, AB @ Palomino
5/24 Edmonton, AB @ Starlite Room
5/26 Winnipeg, MB @ The Park Theatre
5/27 Fargo, ND @ The Aquarium
5/28 Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line
5/29 Milwaukee, WI @ X-Ray Arcade
5/30 Grand Rapids, MI @ Pyramid Scheme
5/31 Toronto, ON @ Lee’s Palace
6/1 Montréal, QC @ Les Foufounes Électriques
6/2 Providence, RI @ Alchemy
6/3 Hamden, CT @ Space Ballroom

Elder is:
Nick DiSalvo – Guitars, Vocals
Mike Risberg – Guitars, Keys
Jack Donovan – Bass
Georg Edert – Drums

http://facebook.com/elderofficial
https://www.instagram.com/elderband/
https://beholdtheelder.bandcamp.com/

https://www.instagram.com/armageddonshop/
https://armageddonshop.bigcartel.com/
http://armageddonshop.com

http://www.stickman-records.com/
http://stickmanrecords.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Stickman-Records-1522369868033940/

Elder, Innate Passage (2022)

Elder, Ruby the Hatchet and Howling Giant is one god damned good show, and that is the sum total of what I have to say about it. Elder and Ruby the Hatchet coming off killer records and maybe Howling Giant too by then? I don’t know anything but they’re about due. I wouldn’t argue if that news came in.

The run is a full month and hits both coasts, in between, and Canada. I don’t feel like I need to argue on favor of this. If you’re not on board with Elder or Ruby the Hatchet at this point, and you’re somehow bothering to read this at all (thanks for that), it’s probably not because you haven’t heard them. Or of them. And if you don’t know Howling Giant, it ain’t my fault. One way or the other, they are going to make a lot of friends on this tour.

It is one good damned good show. More likely a bunch of them. Dates follow:

We’re hitting the road this spring in the US and Canada with our friends Ruby the Hatchet and Howling Giant!

Tickets will go on sale January 20th at 10AM EST.

Links at our website: www.beholdtheelder.com

5/3 Buffalo, NY @ Mohawk
5/4 Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop
5/5 Indianapolis, IN @ Black Circle
5/6 Rock Island, IL @ Wake Brewing
5/7 Kansas City, MO @ The Record Bar
5/9 Denver, CO @ The Bluebird Theater
5/10 Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge
5/11 Las Vegas, NV @ The Usual Place
5/12 Los Angeles, CA @ Lodge Room
5/13 Santa Ana, CA @ The Constellation Room
5/14 San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick
5/16 San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall
5/17 Fresno, CA @ Strummer’s
5/18 Sacramento, CA @ Harlow’s
5/20 Seattle, WA @ Substation
5/21 Vancouver, BC @ Modified Ghost Festival
5/23 Calgary, AB @ Palomino
5/24 Edmonton, AB @ Starlite Room
5/26 Winnipeg, MB @ The Park Theatre
5/27 Fargo, ND @ The Aquarium
5/28 Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line
5/29 Milwaukee, WI @ X-Ray Arcade
5/30 Grand Rapids, MI @ Pyramid Scheme
5/31 Toronto, ON @ Lee’s Palace
6/1 Montréal, QC @ Les Foufounes Électriques
6/2 Providence, RI @ Alchemy
6/3 Hamden, CT @ Space Ballroom

Elder is:
Nick DiSalvo – Guitars, Vocals
Mike Risberg – Guitars, Keys
Jack Donovan – Bass
Georg Edert – Drums

http://facebook.com/elderofficial
https://www.instagram.com/elderband/
https://beholdtheelder.bandcamp.com/

https://www.instagram.com/armageddonshop/
https://armageddonshop.bigcartel.com/
http://armageddonshop.com

http://www.stickman-records.com/
http://stickmanrecords.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Stickman-Records-1522369868033940/

Elder, Innate Passage (2022)

There are very few creative constraints on Elder at this point. Sixteen years after their founding, now with their sixth full-length, Innate Passage — on Armageddon Shop in the US, Stickman Records in Europe — the band prove once again that they are beholden to nothing so much as their own forward drive. In 2020, the mostly-Berlin-based four-piece released Omens (review here), which continued what’s been a genre-shaping turn toward heavy progressive rock from the band’s more riff-mountainous beginnings, and after the sidestep that was 2021’s full-length collaboration with Kadavar (review here), the five songs and 53 minutes of Innate Passage feel utterly free and realized.

It is a step forward from Omens as one would hope, and the heaviest-sounding record since 2015’s  third album Lore (review here), seemed to set them on this sonic path — 2017’s Reflections of a Floating World (review here) likewise expanded on what that record put forth, but moved away somewhat from sheer heft — seeming to revel in its harder-landing moments of distortion as much in the shimmering, noodly guitar explorations of guitarist/vocalist/keyboardist Nick DiSalvo as recorded by Linda Dag at Clouds Hill Studio, who is as suitable a fit as producer for their sound as I’ve heard. Drummer Georg Edert, who made his first appearance on Omens, feels more integrated into the band, which can be heard as he propels the solo-topped sweep in the apex of second cut “Endless Return” after already handling the stark turns in the mathier midsection of opener “Catastasis.”

Guitarist/keyboardist Mike Risberg and bassist Jack Donovan have a hand in pushing both of those parts (and many others) over the top as well, and particularly in relation to their past work, Innate Passage feels mature but not at all staid. Whether it’s the jazzy Opethian pastoralia in “Catastasis,” complete with mellotron, or the massive chugging crescendo that caps 14-minute penultimate track “Merged in Dreams/Ne Plus Ultra,” Elder are poised, confident, still reaching forward toward new growth.

There are definable aspects of their style that are readily present, be it DiSalvo‘s linear writing style, their experimentation with different keyboard/synth sounds — Fabio Cuomo (Eremite) guests on keys for wide-open-feeling closer “The Purpose” — or Adrian Dexter‘s cover art, and experienced listeners should delight at the aural weight that propels them.

As songwriters, Elder have always been a band who seek. Innate Passage expresses this with unremitting beauty and dynamic craft. To call it one of 2022’s best albums is underselling it.

It is part of the larger story of Elder‘s evolution as writ out across their various LPs and EPs, side-projects like DiSalvo‘s Delving solo outfit, and general oeuvre, and in that, it represents not just the newest but the most accomplished work they’ve done yet. To compare to recent output, it has a broader reach than Lore, than Reflections or Omens, but it could not exist without those records having been made. Its songs are righteous passages one into the next, arranged and mixed with care and purpose alike, so that the vocals in the midsection of centerpiece “Coalescence” are as much a part of an adrenaline spike as the heavier endings of the two songs prior (“Catastasis” and “Endless Return”) or the for-the-whole-album crescendo that follows in “Merged in Dreams/Ne Plus Ultra,” which would seem to take at least the second part of its title from the central riff of its instrumentalist back end.

There’s no other way to say it: these are hands down the best vocal performances DiSalvo has ever had on an Elder release. Guest harmonies from Behrang Alavi of Samavayo (who had DiSalvo sit in on their most recent album as well; it’s nice to have friends) on “Catastasis” bolster the coming-back from the aforementioned break, sweetly meandering guitar leading into a gorgeous wash of melody at 7:58 into the opener’s 10:52. And Alavi sits in on “Endless Return” as well, further reinforcing DiSalvo‘s own progression as a singer, which like that of the band’s songwriting can be charted across their releases going back to 2008’s self-titled debut (discussed here) and its their-first-landmark follow-up 2011’s Dead Roots Stirring (review here).

That Elder would come across as particularly lush throughout Innate Passage isn’t necessarily a surprise given where they’ve been sound-wise, but it is a thrill, and it seems the more toys (keyboards, effects, etc.) they get, the more fun they have with them. So be it. That impulse speaks again to the notion of seeking, and the lyrics seem to be asking questions as well as trying to parse out various existential quandaries even as the instrumental passages explore new places and new methods, the patience with which the beginning of “Merged in Dreams/Ne Plus Ultra” launches on bass and drums before the guitars first enter emblematic of the band’s ability to finely tune their own atmospherics, making that song and the entirety of Innate Passage all the more encompassing.

If Omens was indeed a sign of things to come, then let the title of this album speak to the sense of movement inherent in Elder‘s music. In its later moments, Innate Passage underscores its place as the to-date culmination of their progression, whether that comes through in the layered vocals in the midsection of “Merged in Dreams/Ne Plus Ultra” or the manner in which they build from silence to that song’s rousing finish, tension in the guitar and synth heralding the wash that’s soon enough to emerge, or the direct bleed into “The Purpose,” which brings vitality — and low end — to airy post-rock psychedelics in its verse and shifting with particular smoothness from one measure to the next until, after giving the groove they mount its due proliferation, the closer departs after the seven-minute mark to an epilogue of thoughtful standalone guitar that’s an echo of what first enters over the bed of keys in “Catastasis” without actually being a reprise; a finish that is classy but not overstated, reinforcing both the cyclical nature of, well, everything, and basking in a last opportunity to reach for previously uncovered ground. Once again, they seek.

That Elder are at the forefront of their generation of heavy acts isn’t up for debate, and their now-years-old maturity continues to flourish as their influence expands. Innate Passage pushes them further between the microgenres of prog and expansive heavy, clear-headed psychedelia-infused rock and roll, reinforcing their place as spearheads while positioning them all the more as distinct unto themselves. The material is epic while seeming to look inward, and like few bands can, Elder create stunning spaces and worlds for their listeners to inhabit. I’ll readily admit to being a fan of the band, and I’m not sure I’ve ever been so glad to be one. Whatever they may do next, this is a triumph and should be appreciated as such.

(Photo by Maren Michaelis)

Elder, Innate Passage (2022)

Elder on Facebook

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Armageddon Shop website

Stickman Records website

Fun fact: every time I post a bio I wrote for a release, I use the same phrase so that if I need to, I can go back and search the site with that phrase in quotes and find them immediately. The phrase?

Wait for it…

“Bio I wrote.”

I hope you’ve enjoyed this special exclusive look behind the scenes at the inner workings of the cement brick that at some point took residence where my brain used to be.

Said bio begins with the “It’s…” below — obviously I had the title there but it was replaced for flow — and ends after the quote from Nick DiSalvo. I was compensated — rather against my will — for writing it and while it’s promotional text being used for those purposes, I would like to emphasize particularly in this case that I mean every word I wrote. Even among a catalog of landmarks, Innate Passage is a landmark. An album-of-their-career kind of record, and a legit payoff for their progression to-date. If it was just about anyone else, I would say they’ll never be able to top it. I make no such promise as regards Elder.

Album details from the PR wire, along with the bio I wrote:

ELDER Announces New Album Innate Passage!

European Tour Dates With PALLBEARER To Kick Off This Week!

Prog- and psych rock masters, Elder, have announced their brand new album, Innate Passage, for a November 25th release via Stickman Records in Europe and through Armageddon in North America.

It‘s the band’s sixth full-length, and finds the mostly-Berlin-based band in the post-pandemic era as veterans at the forefront of a league of progressive and heavy groups working in large part under their influence; a stately presence as reliably forward-thinking as they are unpredictable in sound. They are among the most important acts of their mostly-still-emerging generation. Genuine leaders in style and expressive intention. Innate Passage is further proof why.

In Spring 2020, Elder released their fifth album, Omens, and with it established a claim on their most prog-leaning interpretation of sprawling heavy rock and roll. Two years later, Innate Passage builds on many similar concepts, but outdoes its predecessor on every level of performance, weight of its impact, interplay between founder Nick DiSalvo and Mike Risberg’s guitars and keys, the now-settled-in drumming of Georg Edert – who made his debut on Omens – and bassist Jack Donovan’s tonal warmth underscoring the shimmer of DiSalvo’s leads. Alongside DiSalvo, Innate Passage also features a guest singer performance for the first time in Behrang Alavi of Samavayo.

Elder’s upcoming album is a culmination of everything they’ve done before, and that’s reason to celebrate, but more, it is that after more than 15 years, they’re still pushing forward to places where neither they nor anyone they’ve influenced have yet gone.

Says DiSalvo: “This record channels the surreal world we live in from a fantastical point of view, not super-literally, and how we as humans processed that; everyone on their own passage through time and space and whatever version of reality they chose for themselves. The phrase ‘Innate Passage’ appeared to me when writing the record. Passage and transition are necessary in the human condition and this process is intrinsic to us. All the growth and introspection we underwent in the past few years totally made this apparent to me more so than any other experiences in life so far.”

Innate Passage track listing:
01. Catastasis
02. Endless Return
03. Coalescence
04. Merged In Dreams – Ne Plus Ultra
05. The Purpose

After Elder just returned from an extensive North American tour, the band is currently gearing up to embark on a European tour with PALLBEARER, kicking off this week in Berlin, Germany! Make sure to catch this high class tour line-up live at the following dates:

22.09.2022 – DE – Berlin, SO36
23.09.2022 – DE – Leipzig, UT Connewitz
24.09.2022 – CZ – Prague, Futurum Music Bar
25.09.2022 – PL – Warsaw, Proxima
26.09.2022 – AT – Vienna, Arena s
27.09.2022 – HU – Budapest, Analog Music Hall
28.09.2022 – SI – Ljubljana, Orto Bar
30.09.2022 – DE – Munich, Feierwerk
01.10.2022 – CH – Pratteln, Up In Smoke Festival
02.10.2022 – IT – Milan, Circolo Magnolia
03.10.2022 – FR – Grenoble, L’Amperage
06.10.2022 – ESP – Barcelona, AMFest
08.10.2022 – PT – Porto, Amplifest
09.10.2022 – ESP – Madrid, Okkult Session 3
11.10.2022 – FR – Toulouse, Le Rex
12.10.2022 – FR – Montpellier, Rockstore
13.10.2022 – FR – Nantes, Le Ferrailleur
14.10.2022 – FR – Paris, Petit Bain
15.10.2022 – BE – Antwerp, Desertfest
16.10.2022 – NL – Tilburg, 013
18.10.2022 – DK – Aarhus, VoxHall
19.10.2022 – NO – Oslo, Parkteatret
20.10.2022 – NO – Drammen, Union Scene
21.10.2022 – NO – Stavanger, Folken
22.10.2022 – NO – Bergen, Kulturhuset
25.10.2022 – SE – Stockholm, Slaktkyrkan
26.10.2022 – SE – Gothenburg, Pustervik
28.10.2022 – DK – Copenhagen, Pumpehuset
29.10.2022 – DE – Hamburg, Logo
30.10.2022 – BE – Ghent, Desertfest
31.10.2022 – DE – Dortmund, Junkyard
02.11.2022 – UK – Brighton, Chalk
03.11.2022 – UK – Bristol, The Fleece
04.11.2022 – UK – London, Earth
05.11.2022 – UK – Manchester, Damnation Festival

Elder is:
Nick DiSalvo – Guitars, Vocals
Mike Risberg – Guitars, Keys
Jack Donovan – Bass
Georg Edert – Drums

http://facebook.com/elderofficial
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https://beholdtheelder.bandcamp.com/

https://www.instagram.com/armageddonshop/
https://armageddonshop.bigcartel.com/
http://armageddonshop.com

http://www.stickman-records.com/
http://stickmanrecords.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Stickman-Records-1522369868033940/

Elder, Omens (2020)